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Letter: Mental health is still health

While the ACA is being considered I am asking why did we allow the insurance industry to convince us that the head is somehow not part of the body? We know that dental and medical illnesses contribute to, or actually cause other illnesses.

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OPINION

Letter: Mental health is still health

While the ACA is being considered I am asking why did we allow the insurance industry to convince us that the head is somehow not part of the body? We know that dental and medical illnesses contribute to, or actually cause other illnesses. For many years mental health was not covered by insurance or covered at a lower benefit than “medical” services. Not so long ago insurers relented and agreed to cover mental health services like any other illness.

Insurers deemed dental treatment outside of “medical” care. Those of us who have had dental insurance know that benefits are often limited to $500 annually with many services covered at 50 percent. Please contact your representatives and request parity for dental care and keeping mental health coverage at current levels. Emails are most effective, you can request a reply and most representatives have websites.

Instead of tweaking the ACA, some think Medicare could be extended to all. Everyone would be covered, with few exclusions (except for dental care, of course). “Alternative facts” are being promulgated that Medicare is somehow socialism, but it is not paid for by the government. Participants pay a premium and co-pays are required for most benefits.